If it was disconcerting for Mike Woodson to hear all the talk about how the Knicks first approached Phil Jackson about coaching the Knicks — the job Woodson currently holds — then he certainly didn’t reveal it Wednesday at the Garden.
“Mr. [James] Dolan, this is his team, he has that right to talk to anyone about a coaching position. I mean he said it,” Woodson said before the Knicks faced the Pacers. “It happened obviously, but I’m the coach of the Knicks right now. I still have a job to do and as long as I’m coach of this team, I’m going to try to put my best foot forward in terms of trying to get this goal accomplished in terms of trying to get this team into the playoffs. That’s what’s first and foremost at this point.”
So Woodson has desperately been trying to concoct a winning formula for the final 15 games that can land his long-shot Knicks in the playoffs. That, he said, is his focus, not what job Jackson could have had.
And Woodson said he could not be concerned with coaching searches.
“No not at all. But, again, this is Mr. Dolan’s team he has every right to approach anybody about my job,” Woodson said. “I’m very grateful and happy to be a coach in the NBA. Jim gave me this opportunity two years ago and I’m still coaching the Knicks and I’m very grateful for that. I’m going to a still put my best foot forward and try to do the best job I can do.”
Jackson made the rounds on Wednesday, meeting with the coaching staff at the practice facility and then doing a meet and greet with the players before the game. It was brief; it was informal one day after the coaching legend was formally introduced as the franchise’s latest savior.
“He was just excited about joining. It was short and quick. He came in spoke, shook everybody’s hand saying how excited he was about this opportunity, but he wanted us to focus on the game,” said Carmelo Anthony.
And no, Anthony did not have a heart-to-heart with Jackson about his future although he was excited to hear of all the praise the new team pres heaped upon him Tuesday.
“It was brief just an introduction,” said Amar’e Stoudemire who started alongside Anthony and Tyson Chandler as the Knicks continued with their big lineup. “It’s going to be a good thing. He’s bringing a winning pedigree to the ball club. He has great experience of what it takes to become champions. We’re looking forward to hearing his expertise in the field.”
Which they really didn’t hear before the game.
“It was a simple introduction. He didn’t go into detail. We’re focused [on Indiana],” Stoudemire said.
And Woodson declined to discuss what he talked about with his newest boss.
“We spoke a little bit today. He was out at the training facility. Came in and introduced himself to the coaches and we chatted a little bit. Now we’re here getting ready for the ballgame,” Woodson said. “He addressed the team this afternoon when we got here.”
Woodson said he was pleased hearing how Jackson complimented him during the introductory press conference. But he’s not going to read too much into that. He just wants to do his job for however long that may be.
“Phil’s coached for a number of years. He has a great deal of respect for coaches as we all do as a fraternity,” Woodson said. “So I was pleased with his comments. I still have a job to do. We’re in the midst of trying to get this team in the playoffs and we are playing better basketball, but I still got a lot of work on my hands. I’m up for the challenge and I’m going to continue that as long as I’m here as a coach.”